The Flying Eagles of Nigeria started their campaign in the 2023 U-20 AFCON tourney on a shaky note after losing to the young Teranga Lions of Senegal by 1-0 in the match day one-second group A game at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Sunday evening.
Ladan Bosso’s side had chances to open scoring early in the encounter but failed to take them. Senegal soon settled into the game and later scored a well-deserved goal in the 40th minute courtesy of CF Talavera striker, Souleymane Faye’s goal.
Unfortunately, as the match progressed, the Nigerian side lost dazzling Midfielder, Daniel Daga to injury which may rule him out of the championship.
On resumption of the second half of the game, Flying Eagles continued to mount pressure on their opponents but poor finishing by their strikers, Adams Olalekan, Rilwanu Sarki and Ibrahim Beji Mohammed denied them.
While pushing for an equaliser, the Nigerians were reduced to 10 men with Ahmed Abdullahi’s sending off in the closing stages of the match.
Libasse Ngom almost made it 2-0 for Senegal when he rounded Nwosu but his eventual shot came off the crossbar as two defenders frantically ran onto the goal line to clear the ball.
Nigeria’s first shot on target came in the 88th minute from a long-range shot fired by Onuche Ogbelu but comfortably saved by Landing Badji.
Senegal top group A with 3 points , while Egypt and Mozambique occupy the second and third position respectively after both teams played out a goaless draw in the competition’s opening game.
The Nigerian U-20 side presently occupy the bottom of the log but still have a date with Egypt on Wednesday in the second game of group A.